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free lives. “People should know where their food comes from – you can really taste the difference,” said Bishop.
the region’s coastal charms. Their new property was a former tomato farm, per fect for supporting the couple’s new hob by: raising chickens.
Fortunately for them, they had a knack for it. Before too long, the Bishops had more eggs than they knew what to do with. They began selling the surplus, and learning about how to expand the farm in a healthy and sustainable way.
Bishop’s commitment to “beyond or ganic” farming extends beyond cuddles and words of affirmation to her livestock. She ensures all the animals are provided with healthy, organic meals, and that their waste is repurposed as manure.
October 2022 | Vol. |
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Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ljiljana Vasiljevic
“You can see how green the grass is where the turkeys have been,” Bishop says. “That’s because they fertilize the soil with their manure. Manure is the basis of organic fertilizers. There are no chemicals added, or needed, when the animals do their job.”
To give a sense of how successful this expansion has been, the farm’s chicken population has ballooned from the origi nal 20 to over 3000.
While her husband has kept his IT job, Ester has been able to commit herself to the farm full-time. She prides herself on providing her animals with joyful, stressfree lives. “People should know where their food comes from – you can really taste the difference,” said Bishop.
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Speaking of animals doing their jobs, Bishop has conscripted her goats and pigs into clearing away swaths of under brush on the property – the “gnarly vines” that give the farm its name.
Bishop’s commitment to “beyond or ganic” farming extends beyond cuddles and words of affirmation to her livestock. She ensures all the animals are provided with healthy, organic meals, and that their waste is repurposed as manure.
Gnarly Vines coordinates with neigh boring farms to provide its customers with a variety of sustainable and organic products. Angus beef, for instance, will sell out almost as soon as it comes into stock.
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“You can see how green the grass is where the turkeys have been,” Bishop says. “That’s because they fertilize the soil with their manure. Manure is the basis of organic fertilizers. There are no chemicals added, or needed, when the animals do their job.”
But the farm is not bound by terrestrial limitations: the Bishops have partnered with Captain’s Finest and Sakonnet Lobster to bring fresh seafood to market.
Speaking of animals doing their jobs, Bishop has conscripted her goats and pigs into clearing away swaths of under brush on the property – the “gnarly vines” that give the farm its name.
Gnarly Vines coordinates with neigh boring farms to provide its customers with a variety of sustainable and organic products. Angus beef, for instance, will sell out almost as soon as it comes into stock.
But the farm is not bound by terrestrial limitations: the Bishops have partnered with Captain’s Finest and Sakonnet Lobster to bring fresh seafood to market.
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Bishop is particularly proud of a new ini tiative at the farm: food security commu nity supported agriculture (CSA) plans. CSAs, popular among farms nation wide, allow customers to pre-purchase “shares” of the farm’s produce, which are Brayton Fall River,
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Bishop is particularly proud of a new ini tiative at the farm: food security commu nity supported agriculture (CSA) plans. CSAs, popular among farms nation wide, allow customers to pre-purchase “shares” of the farm’s produce, which are AARP Massachusetts Than Just Insurance. Plymouth Rock Assurance® . North Main St. River, 02720
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Why risk your health (and sanity) at crowded malls on Black Friday? Take advantage of incredible offerings in your own neighborhood on Small Business Saturday, November 28, throughout the South Coast. Check out sbsshopri. com for shop-and-stroll events in Rhode Island. For that special gift, support local craftsmen and artists by heading over to the in Providence to visit the safe outdoor pop-up markets (waterfire.org/art-mart). And Thursdays (November 5) you can “shop and dine local” in Barrington, Bristol, and Warren (discovernewport.org).
Kick-off the holiday season at Frerichs Farm in Warren with “Girls Night Out” on November 6, 7 and 8 – buy your holiday trees, greenery, and gifts there, too (frerichsfarm.com). Then mark your calendar for the Newport Block Party & Holiday Stroll at Bowen’s Wharf on November 27 – you can watch the Illuminated Boat Parade while you shop and enjoy Caribbean music (bowenswharf.com).
And if you can’t find gifts for all the spe cial people in your life, consider buying gift cards to restaurants, shops, vine yards, special event venues, local farms, e-commerce websites, or grocery stores. Use mail-order services to deliver flow ers, sweets, and specialty foods yearround to someone you want to thank or to express your appreciation.
For those who are always hard to buy a gift for, consider signing them up for an annual subscription to a streaming service, app, podcast, premier sports/ movies/cultural channel, magazine, or newspaper. Or make a donation in their name to their favorite charity, education al institution, or cultural organization. Consider how much it would be appreci ated if you upgraded an older relative’s digital capabilities with an easy-to-use smartphone, tablet, or notebook – and then helped to set up Zoom or Skype.
You can keep the holiday spirit alive this year, even though you may not all be to gether to celebrate Thanksgiving. It just takes some imagination and good cheer!
By Michael J. DeCicco Woven together
By Sean McCarthy TO DO
By Elizabeth Morse Read spooktacular tradition
By Sean McCarthy BUSINESS BUZZ
By Steven Froias Timeless treasures
We are sure to have the purrfect cat or the cutest K-9 to steal your heart so if you are looking for love, check with us first!!
Faxon Animal Care & Adoption Center 474 Durfee St., Fall River, MA 508-676-1061 www.faxonar l.org
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508-998-6101
The Buttonwood Park Zoo is making this holiday pastime more interesting and enjoyable than ever with another year of Boo At The Zoo. To learn more, turn to page 12 or visit bpzoo.org.
1100 Reed Rd. • North Dartmouth, MA Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Get outside to enjoy the foliage, cider, pumpkins and the cooling weather – it’s the lull before the holiday season gets into full swing. All things Halloween Plan ahead for the fabulous “Jack-oLantern Spectacular” through October 31 at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence (rwpzoo.org)!
Find a haunted house, hay ride, corn maze, scary event or spooky place near you at (mahauntedhouses.com)!
Put on your costumes and enjoy the Fall River Halloween Parade along Middle Street on October 29 (vivafallriver.com)!
Don’t miss New Bedford’s Halloween classic cinema events at the Zeiterion! Buy your tickets early for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1923) and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” both on October 30 (zeiterion.org)!
Go on a lantern-led haunted history tour with “Ghosts of Newport” (ghostsofnewport.com).
Woohoo! Explore the eight-acre Corn Maze at Escobar’s Highland Farm in Portsmouth (escobarshighlandfarm. com)!
Don’t miss the Great Townie Pumpkin Festival on October 1 at Crescent Park in East Providence (crescentparkcarousel. org/events)!
Visit the most famous haunted house on the South Coast – take a tour of the Lizzie Borden B&B Museum in Fall River (or spend the night, if you dare). Or go on a bundled tour of Salem, Boston and the Lizzie Borden House (lizzieborden.com). To view photographs and historical artifacts of the infamous double murder, visit the Fall River Historical Society’s Lizzie Borden exhibit (lizzieborden.org)!
Go on a Haunted Boat Tour through the waterways of Providence (providencriverboat.com)!
Don’t miss the Giant Pumpkin WeighOff on October 8 at Frerich’s Farm in Warren (frerichsfarm.com).
Go on a lantern-led guided ghost tour of Providence’s historic East Side (providenceghosttour.com)!
Have some slightly-spooky fun at New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park’s “Boo at the Zoo” on October 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 (bpzoo.org).
310 Shove Street, Fall River 508 679 5010 mcgovernsonthewater com
Let the whole family enjoy the Annual Halloween on Main Street in Plymouth on October 31 (plymouthchchamber. com).
1955 on the historic wharf that dates to the 1700s, isn’t all about summer
Take a tour of the Fortress of Nightmares at Fort Adams State Park in Newport this month (fortressofnightmares.org).
Don’t miss the annual Halloween Parade at Benoit Square in Fairhaven on October 30 (fairhaventours.com)!
Scare yourself silly at Fall River’s Factory of Terror (mahauntedhouse. com, factoryofterror.com)!
This well-known restaurant and ban quet facility overlooking Laurel Lake usually packs them in for a large buf fet on Thanksgiving Day The menu typical ly includes traditional turkey dinner with Paul’s butternut squash, prime rib, ham, and much more. The restaurant has been of fering dine in and takeout, including its locally famous corned beef and cabbage, for 50 years . Here’s a pro tip: if you can’t wait until Thanksgiving for a roast turkey dinner, you don’t have to –it ’s on the regular menu
Buy your tickets early for one of the best haunted houses in New England! Head for Fear Town in Seekonk (feartown.com).
Last year they served up a feast of turkey, roast prime rib, sausage and more The restaurant currently of fers dine in and takeout, including some ov en ready dishes like seafood casserole and stuf fed lobster
36 Homers Wharf, New Bedford 508 997 7010 merrillswaterfront.com
Take the littlest kids for a not-so-scary Halloween haunted hay ride, corn maze and make-your-own Scary Sundaes at Simcock Farm in Swansea (simcockfarm.com)!
Enjoy free family fun and entertainment on AHA! Nights in New Bedford! The October 13 theme is “Art in Tune” (ahanewbedford.org).
This favorite restaurant and function facility sits on the waterfront overlooking the busy port But if isn’t your thing on traditional turkey day, be sure to keep watch for their holiday of ferings Last year, Merrill’s served up turkey and prime rib, all the sides like apple sage and sweet corn and polenta ravi oli, plus pies galore.
There’s fun for all ages on the new indoor Southcoast Pickleball courts in Fairhaven, open daily. AC, changing rooms, refreshments, rentals, clinics, tournaments (southcoastpickleball. com)!
100 Alden Road, Fairhaven 508 993 9913 thepastahouse.net
Check out the free “Movie in the Park” on October 21 at Crescent Park in East Providence (crescentparkcarousel.org/ events)!
If their Pumpkin Patch Old Fashioned (now on the bar menu) doesn’t get you inside, nothing will Luckily, you can a recipe in the sidebar for this drink and serve it with your Thanksgiving dinner takeout
Wander through the many creative work spaces at the Hatch Street Studios in New Bedford on the free “Studio Saturday” October 8. Enjoy live demos and music, too (destinationnewbedford. org)!
When it’s raining outside, take the little ones to the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River (cmgfr.org)!
The Pasta House served up a spread last year that included turkey dinner, ham dinner, mignon, braised short rib, and more Currently, pickup and delivery is available from the regular menu, includ ing their apple cider sangria to go. We’ll just have to wait and see what they dream up for Thanksgiving.
Take the whole family to see “The Three Musketeers” on October 20 at the Zeiterion in New Bedford (zeiterion. org).
Head for the Museum of Natural History & Planetarium in Providence’s Roger Williams Park to watch the
215 Water Street, Warren 401 289 2524 thewharftavernri com
While stuf fed quahogs nibbled by the water may not be a Thanksgiving tradi tion, the Wharf Tavern, established in
g y dle (or rather a drumstick) on that too Currently, the restaurant is of fering meal packages and platters like its “ Taste of New England” that comes with chow der, quahogs and clam cakes or its Italian package of salad, lasagna, meatballs and breadsticks . Both meals serve six . Also available are dinner for two meal packs like and chips, lobster rolls, bourbon beef tips, and even kid-sized pasta and meatballs for two With more than 60 years in the hospitality industry, White’s is accustomed to cooking for a crowd 265 W alnu t P lain Ro ad Roches t er, M A
First you’ll need to concoct cinnamon syrup Mix ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and a three inch cinnamon stick in a small pan Bring it just to a boil, turn of f the heat and let it cool. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard or use it to garnish the cocktail if you like The syr up will last for three weeks in the fridge
To make the cocktail, a shak er halfway with ice. Combine ¼ cup pumpkin puree with three ounces bourbon, two ounces maple syrup, ¼ ounce cinnamon syrup, one ounce or ange liqueur, and two dashes orange bit ters Shake well Fill two old fash ioned glasses with ice, pour in the strained cocktail and garnish with a twist of orange peel and a cherry. OFF ALL JEWELRY THIS AD FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
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The 8th Annual Ocean State Oyster Festival will take place on Saturday, October 8, at River Walk Park, South Water Street, in Providence. It will feature a selection of Rhode Island oyster farms, live music, craft beer and wine, and food trucks by the boardwalk along the Providence River. For more info visit oysterfestri.com.
free Crantoberfest at Town Hall on October 15! Cranberry bake-off, kids’ costume parade, games, beer garden (seeplymouth.com).
Get ready for the Kids Festival on October 8 at Benoit Square in Fairhaven (fairhaventours.com)!
Little kids really love the Annual Fall Festival at the Silverbrook Farm in Acushnet! Through October 30, they can enjoy six hours of unlimited activities – tractor rides, corn maze, games, animals – and a free pumpkin (thesilverbrookfarm.com)!
Celebrate harvest time at the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s annual Harvest Fair October 1 & 2 in Middletown!
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
planetarium shows (providence.gov/ museum)!
Don’t miss the Newport Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival on October 15 at Fort Adams. Family fun, lawn games and music (foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com)!
Aw shucks! Plan ahead for the 8th Annual Ocean State Oyster Festival at River Walk Park in Providence on October 8 (oysterfestri.com).
Don’t miss the Annual Oktoberfest in New Bedford on Pier 3 on October 1 – craft brews, food vendors, music (southcoastbusinessalliance.org)!
Mark your calendar for the 17th annual New Bedford Seaport Chowderfest on October 8 under the tents on Pier 3 (onesouthcoast.com).
Head for Newport on October 15-16 for the 31st Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival (bowenswharf.com)!
For a taste of New Bedford’s rich culinary history, go on a guided Food Tour (nbfoodtours.com)!
Go on a Twilight River Cruise or a Vineyard Voyage with the Providence Riverboat Company (providenceriverboat.com)
Take the family to the monthly Open Farm Days at Round the Bend Farm in Dartmouth! Grass-fed meats,
botanicals, local veggies, honey and more (roundthebendfarm.org).
Shop for everything fresh, local and handmade on Saturdays through October at the Southcoast Open Air Market in Somerset (southcoastopenairmarket.com).
Visit the Outdoor Farmers Markets in New Bedford at Brooklawn Park on Mondays, Buttonwood Park on Thursdays, Clasky Common Park on Fridays through October (coastalfoodshed.org).
Mark your calendar for Food Truck Fridays at the Carousel at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence (rwpzoo)!
Eat Fresh, Eat Local! Fill your baskets with local produce, dairy products and artisanal foods! To find a farm, vineyard or farmers market near you, visit semaponline.org, farmfreshri. org, or coastalfoodshed.org. To find food and wine events, go to farmcoast. com, coastalwinetrail.com, or ediblesouthshore.com.
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! King Richard’s Faire in Carver is open on weekends through October 23 (kingrichardsfaire. net).
Plan ahead for the Lakeville Arts & Music Festival on October 1 (lakevilleartscouncilma.org/festival)!
Check out the free Folks on the Farm festival October 2 at Frerich’s Farm in Warren (frerichsfarm.com).
Head to Middleborough for the
Old-fashioned family fun, food trucks, games, competitions, live music (normanbirdsanctuary.org)!
Head for the Providence Performing Arts Center to enjoy “Mean Girls” October 4-9 or “Tootsie” October 25-30 (ppacri.org)!
Enjoy dinner and a performance of “Social Security” through October 23 at the Newport Playhouse (newportplayhouse.com).
Head for the Priscilla Beach Theatre in Plymouth, the oldest barn theatre still in operation in America! “Disenchanted” will be performed October 7-15 (pbtheatre.org).
Enjoy a performance of “The Inheritance: Parts 1 & 2” through November 6 at Trinity Rep in Providence (trinityrep.com).
Find out who’s on stage at the District Center for the Arts in Taunton! There’s Best of Foo October 1, Moonstruck October 8, The Fools October 15, Saints in the City October 22, Best Friends Girl October 29 (thedistrictcenterforarts.com).
Bring your own picnic and chair and listen to live jazz with the Bebop Docs at Linden Place in Bristol on October 16 (lindenplace.org).
Head for Pilgrim Memorial Hall in Plymouth for Voyage October 7,
Halloween Benefit October 22, Cage Titans October 29 (memorialhall.com).
Find out who’s playing at The Rooftop at Kilburn Mill in New Bedford’s south end (kilburnmill.com)!
Bring your picnic basket to Running Brook Vineyard in Dartmouth for free live music every Saturday and Sunday (runningbrookwine.com)!
Check out who’s on stage at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts of Greater Plymouth! Don’t miss Sonny Landreth October 1, Jonatha Brooke October 7, Mary Gauthier October 8, Chelsea Berry October 13, Eric Lindell October 15, Porterfield October 20, Slaid Cleeves October 22, Jason Spooner October 23, Quinn Sullivan October 29 (spirecenter.org).
Don’t miss Billy Ocean October 9, Doo Wop XIX October 6, Eddie B. Teachers Only October 21 at the Zeiterion in New Bedford (zeiterion.org).
Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth. The trails are free and open to the public every day from dawn to dusk (lloydcenter.org).
Pack a picnic and stroll through the whimsical Green Animals Topiary Gardens in Portsmouth (newportmansions.org)!
Take a leisurely stroll through Blithewold Mansion and Gardens in Bristol (blithewold.org)!
Go on a free Bird Walk or Flower Walk at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown (normanbirdsanctuary).
Take a stroll through the urban greenspace of the Allen G. Haskell Public Gardens in New Bedford (thetrustees.org).
Viva Fall River! Created by Portuguese-based lettering designers Mariana Branco and Emanuel Barreira of Halfstudio, and executed by local artist Gregory Pennisten, a new 40’ by 60’ mural called “Viva Fall River” was unveiled at Fall River’s Kay Building, owned by Anthony F. Cordeiro and family, a short walk from the Quequechan River Rail Trail. The mural celebrates Fall Riverites of Portuguese descent.
Enjoy wine tastings and live jazz on Saturdays at Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth (greenvale.com).
Head for The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River for great music! Don’t miss Entrain October 1, Vanilla Fudge October 6, Ruthie Foster October 7, Vanessa Collier October 15, Paula Poundstone October 22, GA-20 October 28 (narrowscenter.com).
The network started as AHA! Fall River through the Community Foundation of Southeastern MA in 2014 with a focus on highlighting the multitude of art, music, theater, charity, historical, and cultural events throughout greater Fall River. Since April 2017, it has been a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with a target audience that includes not only residents but also visitors from towns on both sides of the Taunton River and Mount Hope Bay, and from Boston to Providence.
Enjoy free outdoor classical music performed by members of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra during “Sonata Saturdays,” across the street from the Whaling Museum entrance on October 22 (nbsymphony.org).
Don’t miss Festival Ballet Providence’s performance of “Off the Wall” October 21-23 at the Moses Brown School in Providence (festivalballetprovidence.org)!
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will present Sterling Elliott on October 15 at The VETS (riphil.org).
“After three years working under the AHA label,” Dave Dennis said, “we realized this model wasn’t compatible with the needs of Fall River, not to mention the difficulty connecting with the AHA name. Our financial stability since then has allowed us to make the decision to move in a new direction to position ourselves to better meet the needs and demands of a gateway city. In 2017, through research, focus groups, and marketing specialists, we formed Creative Arts Network Inc. (CAN), along with a branding logo, then formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organiza tion.”
Head for the Zeiterion in downtown New Bedford to hear the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra perform “American Dream” on October 1 or “Yaniv Plays Brahms” on October 29 (nbsymphony.org).
Check out what’s happening at the
With Covid restrictions this past year, Dennis said, CAN has pivoted from live events to virtual events through its Facebook page and website. Some of the creative events started with ArtWeek at Home in May where it offered a week-long virtual event from art lessons, cooking
“Discover Buzzards Bay” offers an online portal with information about 100+ public places to walk, bird-watch, kayak/canoe, fish, snowshoe or crosscountry ski (savebuzzardsbay.org/ discover). You can find other outdoor recreation spots along the South Coast at thetrustees.org, exploreri. org, massaudubon.org, riwalks.org, asri.org, riparks.com, or stateparks. com/rhode_island.
lessons, dance lessons, concerts, and crafts for kids. For Valentine’s Day it offered dance lessons, art lessons, instructions on how to set a perfect table, how to make that special drink, and how to make chocolate-covered strawberries.
Bike for clean water! Join in the 16th Annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride on October 2, from Little Compton to Woods Hole through the scenic landscapes of the South Coast (savebuzzardsbay.org/discover/ events)!
Learn about the free virtual classes in meditation, laughter yoga, tai chi, yoga and smoking-cessation hypnosis, offered by New Bedford Wellness Initiative (facebook.com/ NewBedfordWellnessInitiative).
It has also sponsored two groups of local students from a local Community College for their class projects. The most recent class put together tours for National Tourism Week, May 2-8. CAN’s other most recent event was a collaboration with the Fall River Public Library for an Earth Day event. CAN has also taken on a role in working to have more public policy implemented around art and culture. Over the past year we have seen the newly formed Fall River Waterfront Cultural District, June 25 has been proclaimed Hydrangea Day, the City Council voted the hydrangea the official ornamental flower of the city, and CAN’s current proposal is for a formal Public Art Policy with the formation of a Public Art Commission.
Register now for the Newport Marathon October 9 (newportmarathon.com) or the Pell Bridge Run/Walk on October 16 (pellbridgerun.com).
Explore the waterways of Providence in a single or tandem kayak (providencekayak.com).
This summer, Dennis said, CAN hopes to return to small-scale live events such as an open-air art exhibit, a mural wayfinding project, the continuation of the group’s hydrangea beautification program, and a festival to highlight a variety of art and culture activities with a focus on the city’s restaurants and shops.
Get Healthy! “Walk With a Doc” on Saturdays at Buttonwood Park Zoo, part of the New Bedford Wellness Initiative – and don’t miss the free Tai Chi Fit Flow class just before the walk (nbewell.com)!
For more information on how to get involved go to creativeartsnetwork.org. buy
"Re/Framing the View: Nineteenthcentury American Landscapes" will open at the New Bedford Whaling Museum's Wattles Gallery from October 28 to May 14, and "Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus) and the Arctic Imaginary" will be featured at the museum's Center Street Gallery from December 12 to May 7.
Naomi Slipp, the museum's Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Endowed Chair for
the Chief Curator, explained these will be the two latest of the eight rotating exhibits that the museum presents each year. "Re/Framing the View" will display 125 pieces from a variety of locally and nationally celebrated American landscape painters and other artists. “A diverse array of artists," Slipp explained, "displaying a lot of different kinds of art to show the different ways people saw the American landscape."
It'll not just be paintings, but also glass art, engravings, photos, ceramics, scrimshaw, prints, books, and even hat boxes. And not just as-far-as-the-horizon landscapes, but still-life paintings and botanical representations. "An expansion beyond traditional landscapes," she said. "An historic view of our landscape but also a link to today."
Slipp said she wants the historical landscapes to make people think about the environment, how environmentally the landscape being presented has changed. "Scenes from the 19th
century that make people think about our current environmental concerns," she explained. "Scenic coastal and maritime views that will help people reflect on our part of the world then and now."
Slipp even wants the viewer to think how the Native Americans who are in (and not in) some of these paintings were portrayed back then, as ethnic stereotypes or historically inaccurate fantasies. "I encourage people to think about it all," she said.
One third of the show will be from the museum's own collection, another third on loan from private collections, and a further third from other museums, specifically the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Long Island Museum, the RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts – Boston, the Boston Athenaeum, and the New York Historical Society.
Artists in this exhibition will include William Bradford, John F. Kensett,
The geographic and thematic scope of the latest art exhibits starting this fall at the Whaling Museum stretches from America to the Arctic.Baleen and ivory basket, early 20th century. by Michael J. DeCicco
Martin Johnson Heade, Frederic Edwin Church, Albert Bierstadt, Jasper Francis Cropsey, George Inness, Francis A. Silva, Sanford Robinson Gifford, and Edward Mitchell Bannister, among many others.
"Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus) and the Arctic Imaginary" at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Center Street Gallery will display original artworks, photographs, carvings, and material culture depicting (or made from) the polar bear. British, German, Dutch, and American prints will join traditional Alaskan and Inupiat carvings; baskets made of whale baleen; historic photographs; decorated dinner plates; paintings; and even a pin cushion lined with polar bear fur.
Slipp said one highlight will be a recently conserved painting by Charles Sidney Raleigh titled "Intruder in the North” (1888), which shows polar bears observing a scene of arctic whaling.
The museum website notes that the intent of this exhibit is to "explore humankind's fascination with and relationship towards this elusive species. Due to their threatened status, this exhibition carries additional importance. In 2020, WWF estimated a mere 22,000 to 31,000 polar bears were living in the wild and this number is expected to decline by one third as soon as 2050."
For more information, go to whalingmuseum.org.
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One third of the show will be from the museum's own collection, another third on loan from private collections, and a further third from other museums
In fact, the Buttonwood Park Zoo is making this holiday pastime more interesting and enjoyable than ever with another year of Boo At The Zoo.
It’s not just about trick-ortreating though – the days are filled with fun events like a daily costume contest, a pumpkin decorating contest, a themed obstacle course, themed animal enrichment and visits with some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors, as well as candy, food, arts and crafts, and more candy! This New Bedford landmark is once again creating wonderful weekends in October for children and families, transforming the grounds to offer a memorable Halloween experience for all.
“We want children and families to have fun in a safe space,” says the Zoo’s Events and Marketing Manager, Kris Caisse. “It’s held during the daytime and there’s a lot to do. The staff is super excited.”
Now in its 21st year, “Boo At The Zoo” will be held for three weekends in October: those of the 15th, 22nd, and
29th. The doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 pm. Tickets are available online only at bpzoo.org. The event has sold out in past years, so don’t delay.
“If you don’t have a situation where you can take your kids trick-or-treating, this is a great opportunity,” Caisse says. “We’ve been successful
over the years due to the support we receive from the community. We have a lot of sponsors and volunteers who become involved in things like helping set up the event, handing out candy, or even entertainment.”
The Zoo grounds will be transformed with fun, (slightly) spooky Halloween and fall decorations. After
“It’s like a typical day at the zoo, but it’s devoted to celebrating Halloween. We welcome families. In the past we’ve had entire families dressed up in costumes around a theme. We encourage people to be creative and have fun.”
The Buttonwood Park Zoo, established in 1894, is the 12th oldest zoo in the United States. The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, a private, nonprofit organization, was founded in 1969 to support the zoo so that it will be a significant contributor to the conservation of wildlife, both locally and globally. The zoo features over 240 species, most notably Asian elephants, bison, cougars, black bears, eagles, seals, otters, South American primates, and numerous waterfowl species. The Buttonwood Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and has been recognized as "one of the finest small zoos in the United States.”
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hitting the Trick or Treat Trail, guests can visit face painters and the fantasy characters, such as mermaids and pirates, or ride the Wildlife Carousel. The Zoo’s café will be open with fall favorites, such as cider, donuts, and candy apples. There will be photo booths, photo ops, and an opportunity to see the animal residents enjoying their own holiday treats. “This isn’t a scary, nighttime event,” Caisse says. “It’s like a typical day at the zoo, but it’s devoted to celebrating Halloween. We welcome
families. In the past we’ve had entire families dressed up in costumes around a theme. We encourage people to be creative and have fun.”
Volunteers play a huge part in making the event successful, and volunteering is a great opportunity to give back to a beloved community institution. People interested in volunteering for “Boo At The Zoo” can contact Josh Thompson at jthompson@ bpzoo.org.
Learn more about the Buttonwood Park Zoo all year long by visiting bpzoo.org.
WHALE accomplishes this through the restoration and reuse of historic structures for the economic and community development of New Bedford, which provides commercial development and affordable housing to low-and moderate-income individuals and families, promotes arts and culture, and educates on the importance of the historic and architectural culture of New Bedford’s diverse people.
Soon, they will be employing a brandnew, innovative tool to help them further their mission. In partnership with the Trust for Public Lands (TPL), WHALE is creating a Greenprint of New Bedford.
A Greenprint is a map of places that matter to a community, and creating one starts with community input and leads to state-of-the-art computer models and maps developed using Geographic
Information System (GIS) software. The interactive maps identify key historic and cultural assets for protection based on the observations, recollections, and local knowledge of the city’s residents.
The Greenprint will give New Bedford a unique opportunity to create a Cultural Conservation Index identifying noteworthy cultural assets such as historic buildings and park/open space preservation opportunities, and will catalog significant communityidentified landmarks across the city.
The project will begin the fall with a survey to New Bedford residents, as well as rigorous community outreach and conversation. It is anticipated that the Greenprint and Index will be completed by the end of 2023.
The WHALE Cultural Conservation Index is the second Greenmapping project chosen for funding by the 1772 Foundation. Its own mission is to ensure the safe passage of our historic assets to future generations. The Historic Macon Foundation in Macon, Georgia
The Greenprint will give New Bedford a unique opportunity to create a Cultural Conservation Index identifying noteworthy cultural assets such as historic buildings and park/open space preservation opportunities. (print)
and TPL recently completed a “Saving Places Index,” which connects MaconBibb County, GA residents to wonderful places to live, work, and play in their own backyard.
An example of a project that meets that criteria is Hillman Street Firehouse on County Street, New Bedford.
WHALE announced on April 1 that it has received a $1.05 million grant from the City of New Bedford’s Housing Expansion Initiative.
In total, five affordable housing development projects were awarded a total of $11.2 million from federal funds received by the City under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program administered by the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development.
about how to deal with the physical volume of the work, the artist’s legacy, their relevance, and how to properly preserve their life, their work, and their memory for future generations.
WHALE is creating eight affordable housing units at the historic Hillman Firehouse on County Street.
ested in are less abundant and limited to my friends who focus on this era.”
e ye of the beholder
consistent with WHALE’s overarching goal to use historic restoration as a tool to stabilize neighborhoods and develop affordable housing, among other goals.
Michael Rose, an art historian, gallerist, appraiser, and advisor who is based in Rhode Island, offers an array of services to clients throughout New England and beyond. He prefers to inform and support both new and experienced art enthusiasts.
The Hillman Street Firehouse joins other WHALE projects throughout the City of New Bedford which together constitute a powerful form of transformative preservation.
Rose believes that if you have aging family members who are practicing artists, the best time to deal with their eventual estate is “to start the conversa tion and begin actively planning.” Most of the families that contact him for his advice and appraisal tend to be those who planned for the eventuality.
In the North End, along Acushnet Avenue, WHALE is involved with the restoration of not one but two former theaters. Both are historic structures and the adaptive reuse of each will usher in a new era of opportunity on The Ave, as the commercial corridor is affectionately called.
He does get several inquiries a year from those seeking advice on unplanned estates.
The former Strand Theater, along with Island Park at its side, is now the Cape Verdean Cultural Center and inches forward every month toward a longawaited total renovation.
In his estimation, due to the population density of the Northeast and the prolif eration of practicing artists in the South Coast, the market is oversaturated.
Tue
Further down the street, the massive Capitol Theater project will be a creative incubator space managed by the Community Economic Development Center, and will also have new retail space and affordable housing.
Living artists are producing more work than they can sell. “There are collectors who specialize in various aspects of the art market.” Rose says that due diligence is required such as referring to art market reports and contacting a respected authority.
Originally constructed in 1892-93 as a neighborhood fire station and, later, the City’s Civil Defense Headquarters, the once beautiful brick and granite exterior, punctuated with terra cotta accents, was slated for demolition until WHALE and the City stepped in to rescue it.
I asked Dr. Richard Connor, a prolific collector in the region who also represents several mid-twentieth century artists’ estates, including that of Joseph Alexan der, about a surge of artwork from estates as the result of the passing of the artists of the Greatest Generation. His response was, “The one thing I think you may be unaware of is that people like me have been acquiring artist estates and selling them for a long time.”
A historic landmark, the Hillman Firehouse once contributed to the fabric of a vibrant neighborhood but had become abandoned and derelict. Restored to its original beauty, the building will provide affordable housing, bringing new life and a sense of pride to the community.
He continued, “I have several friends that have been doing it for decades... in fact they are now complaining that it’s kind of hard to find them.” It seems that anything and mostly everything from the 1950s and 60s, from furnishing, to toys, fashion, and especially artwork, is quite in demand.
Interestingly, due to the demand, “the mid-century estates they are mostly inter
In total, the Hillman Firehouse is a $3 million dollar restoration project that is
“Visit auction houses and galleries and do your homework,” says Rose. And if you’re considering donating work to an institution such as a local museum, “the work must be appraised by a paid certified appraiser in order to get the tax deduction for the donation.”
Meanwhile, downtown, WHALE is approaching the finish line on another massive project: the Steeple Playhouse. This project finds WHALE actually creating a new theater in New Bedford, from a historic church structure: the First Baptist Church where Robert’s Rules of Order were first introduced.
Rose recommends education through The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and there are many more. He also mentioned that mid-century scarcity may also be the result of work not hitting the market because it’s in storage or forgotten.
“It depends on the quality of the work. While it may be true that you can’t make them famous, if it’s good, you can do bet ter than thrift shops and local auctions.”
The restoration of the First Baptist Church will provide an elegant venue for a collaborative community theater while also retaining a home for the congregation. The project is a national model in the effort to save a sacred space through innovative reuse. WHALE believes this is the best chance to restore a National Treasure while making it accessible to the public.
“I want to emphasize that the reality lies between a sad ending and the sometimesover-inflated expectations of people who think their deceased relative might be an undiscovered Van Gogh” says Dr. Connor.
While the new Greenprint project will formalize and take to a new level the demarcation of critical community assets in New Bedford, with invaluable input from residents, WHALE is already embedded in neighborhoods throughout the city.
r o N fortier is an international artist who emigrated to the Silver Coast of mainland Portugal where he lived, painted, and exhibited.
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WHALE is creating eight affordable housing units at the historic Hillman Firehouse on County Street.
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“If it’s good, you can do better than thrift shops and local auctions”
Take the example of Fairhaven's What A Find consignment store at 154 Huttleston Avenue. Co-owners Leif and Linda Johannessen say they don't sell antiques but they are fussy about their merchandise quality.
"People bring in their items for us to sell for them with a 50-50 split," Linda Johannessen explained. "People would be surprised by the quality of the merchandise we carry. We will always look at a picture of what's being offered first. They have to be from a smoke-free, pet-free environment, clean, and ready for the customer to bring home. Like in a newmodel furniture store."
She said she and her husband have never had to aggressively reach out to the public to collect merchandise from consignees. The store has had success attracting consignees and thousands of customers from the very start.
What A Find opened 13 years ago after the building's previous tenant, Modern Galleries, closed. The
Johannessen family had owned the building since 1951, and Leif and Linda didn't want the store to stay vacant for long.
Linda recalled telling the realtor they would do consignment sales if the store didn't find another tenant. She said this without really believing the couple would or could actually do that, until her husband exclaimed that it would be a good idea.
The store's success began very soon afterwards. She and her husband were still cleaning up the recently vacated building when their first consignees entered and offered what would be their first merchandise for sale, a sofa and oversize chair.
"We just grew from that point on," Linda said. "We don't visit yard sales or estate sales. The merchandise finds us. Most people consigning to us are downsizing or contacting us after a death in the family. We offer mid- to high-end style furniture, home decor, and accessories."
She is proud to note the store's furniture offerings
once even included a chair claimed to have come from the Nantucket home of famed television newscaster Walter Cronkite.
But now the couple is approaching retirement age. He's age 74. She's 70. What A Find is holding a retirement sale until the store closes by the end of the year. At this writing, that means the Johannessens have taken 25 percent off all of the store's inventory.
The couple has mixed emotions about their retirement. "I liked putting together pieces to make each display look like a perfect roomful of furniture that belong together, even though they might not have come in together," Linda said. "So many who have consigned their pieces here will come in and say this looks better than it did in my own house. That I will miss."
She and her husband's biggest regret over retiring, she said, is "giving up the property that's been in the family for 71 years. But we are looking forward to the future, to the next chapter in our lives."
Learn more about What A Find at whatafindfairhaven. com.
At the upper end of the second-hand market, antique shops are only a slightly different animal. The owner of Antiques at Olde Tiverton at 1019 Main Road in Tiverton, Peter Lacasse, has sold antiques for 35 years. He explained his antique merchandise comes to him through contacts and collector friends he has known for years as well as walk-ins with antique items for sale, and no consignment commissions are involved.
He said his customers come to his store because they are looking for something specific, though "Some people just like a good conversation," he added with a smile.
He said his store's best sellers are its nautical items – anchors, boat ketches, captain's wheels, nauticallythemed art and other decor.
He's seen many customers come in to buy what they needed to decorate a
If you're in the market for quality second-hand merchandise, the differences between an antique shop and a consignment store are subtle but worth comparing.
nautically-theme room or yard, with a lobster trap, a sculpture, or a captain's wheel lamp.
He emphasized that he makes sure that any antique item he carries is genuine. "I try to find unique and different types of items," he said. "Not just your 'basic' antique item. All from New England sources. Nothing 'made in China' or bought in an online catalog. Something that makes you go 'Wow.' And I get that reaction nearly every day from people who walk into my store. People like to see the kind of real antiques I carry."
He became an antiques dealer 35 years ago when he bought local newspapers concerning the Civil War and started selling them at antique stores. He expanded to selling antique advertisements, then finally realized he wanted his own shop. His first brick-and-
mortar store opened five years ago in Whittenville, MA. He's been open in Tiverton for 15 months.
So why Tiverton? "I wanted a place where I could live and work," he said. "I was looking for a place that had mixed commercial use, where I could live and have my store on the same property."
He doesn't regret the move. "I enjoy being here. I have a variety of types of antiques. You can't have only one type of merchandise. I have been told by customers that I have one of the better antique shops of this kind in New England. You can walk slowly around my shop and enjoy it. I offer a lot of high-end items. My goal is to make sure I please my customers with unique merchandise and courteous attention."
Learn more about Antiques at Olde Tiverton at antiquesat-olde-tiverton-ri.business. site.
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Antiques at Olde Tiverton owner Peter Lacasse says his store's best sellers are its nautical items – anchors, boat ketches, captain's wheels, nauticallythemed art and other decor.
With its eclectic offerings, welcoming atmosphere, and explorational vibe, Fazio’s “maker space,” Interwoven, is contributing something unique to downtown New Bedford. From art and music, to food and fashion, to movies and games, the 634 Pleasant Street location presents an opportunity for experiences that enrich us as individuals and enhance us as a community.
With the reemergence of social interaction that was hampered by COVID-19, Interwoven offers a fluid and evolving array of opportunities for the culturally and socially minded. Whether it’s showcasing your talents, enjoying the talents of others, or simply meeting new people and learning new things, Interwoven will provide plenty of creative programming in the coming months.
“Interwoven isn’t based on a business model, it’s simply based on the needs of artists who require a platform – an affordable venue that is whatever the artist needs it to be,” Fazio says. “Whether it’s a pop-up store, a gallery, a musical performance, education, writing, playing board games, whatever.”
Since opening its doors last spring, Interwoven has been experimenting with a variety of programming on a variety of nights, getting a feel for what is possible. In addition to an Art Wall featuring works by local artists, there have been vintage clothing events, concerts by local musicians, movie nights, art classes, as well as a “Game Night Unplugged,” where visitors can play non-electric board and card games while acoustic music is performed by a local musician.
“Interwoven is a great opportunity for artists and businesses to network and get their message out about what they
offer. It’s a space to meet people and promote yourself,” says Amber Vaughn, owner of Rayn’s Revolver, a vintage clothing and antiques business that has held fashion shows at Interwoven. “It’s very inclusive, warm, and welcoming. I’ve met a lot of great people from downtown.”
Vaughn has hosted monthly get-togethers, combining Cowboy movies and Western fashion. She has also taught art classes, including scrapbooking, which is the craft of making art from recycled items.
Another unique offering at Interwoven is the Artists’ Salon, evenings that are devoted to artists of all disciplines to gather and share what they’re currently working on and what is inspiring them at the time. Interwoven has held two of these events.
“Unexpected Music” is the brainchild of New Bedford “sound sculptor” Scott Bishop, presenting concerts at non-traditional performing spaces in the city. There have been three shows at Interwoven featuring local musicians.
By recognizing the skills and histories that make us unique, Rhonda M. Fazio is focusing on the things that can bring us together.
by Sean McCarthy With the reemergence of social interaction that was hampered by COVID-19, Interwoven offers a fluid and evolving array of opportunities for the culturally and socially minded
build the community that we want, and a great place to meet people.”
But Fazio is quick to point out that Interwoven is a work in progress with no limitations for what the future has to offer.
“Every kind of culture exists in New Bedford,” Fazio says. “There’s so many different people living in this one place, but there’s still division in the city. So in an effort to get through that, I wanted to create a safe space, a place where people can create or enjoy other creatives and find commonalities without judgment.”
“I like that Interwoven is a flexible space,” Bishop says. “There’s tables and chairs and you can find your place. It’s configured in a way that makes it friendly to performers and artists to come in. It’s an environment where people are inclined to relax and take in whatever music or art is happening at that time.”
“It’s a charming spot furnished with eclectic chairs and a lot of love and intention,” says New Bedford musician Sarah Donner, who has hosted two of the Artists Salons and debuted her new band, Middle Spoon, at an “Unexpected Music” event. “Rhonda is a warm presence who welcomes artists of all disciplines. She’s all over the city supporting everyone and hustling like nobody else.”
Fazio co-owns Interwoven with Margaret Philbrook, both are Dighton residents. Philbrook offers instructional classes at Interwoven in Upholstery, titled “Restore, Recycle, Renew.”
“Rhonda is a sweet, wonderful person,” Philbrook says. “She’s very helpful, caring, and talented. She’s teaching with everything she does. She’s inclusive and very much for the community.”
A major catalyst for the opening of Interwoven was Fazio’s desire to establish a home base for her company, Dyer Maker Studio, a business she founded 24 years ago. Dyer Maker Studio is a traveling maker space which offers experiencial workshops throughout New England and New
York, teaching people how to design and create their own wearable art with sustainable materials that have been used for thousands of years. Since 2005, her workshops have been called “Dyeing To Wear It,” and classes range from three to 20 people. She is now offering classes at the Interwoven location.
Classes at Interwoven will begin in October with a brief hiatus in November when Fazio will be traveling to Peru for an artists residency, which will further enhance her skills.
But Fazio brings another passion to the Interwoven experience – raised in a large Sicilian family, she learned much about the culinary world from her mother and grandmother.
“Growing up in a big Sicilian family in the 1970s, my mother cooked like some of the chefs you’d see on the Food Network,” Fazio recalls. “I would really like to bring my love of food to Interwoven someday.”
Fazio’s love of food finds its way to the community through her work with the Coastal Food Shed and the New Bedford Farmer’s Market. Her programs, “The Art and Language of Food,” and “SNAP to the Max,” teach people how to cook creatively with less waste and get the most from their
SNAP benefits while introducing them to local businesses and farms from the South Coast region. Fazio will be offering farm-to-table cooking and food preservation classes with the Coastal Food Shed throughout the New Bedford community in 2023.
While much of the work Fazio does is grant-based and for the community, she is not a nonprofit. Donations are always welcome to keep the downtown location an affordable space for working artists. Born and raised in Berkley, MA, Fazio has degrees in Professional Craft and Art History. She enjoys incorporating history into her "Dyeing to Wear It" and cooking classes, and deems it important for many reasons.
“The future depends on our understanding of where everything comes from and how we use it moving forward,” she says. “I pull authentic materials from the past and bring them into my workshops to provide an opportunity for people to creatively learn and understand these histories through a hands-on approach. My work with food and fabric reflect the essential connection between people from all over the world in relation to the journey of the human narrative. In America, it is a story we all share, and we are all ‘Interwoven’ because of it.”
Classes at Interwoven will begin in October with a brief hiatus in November when Fazio will be traveling to Peru for an artists residency, which will further enhance her skills.
I was born in October 1953 and four Octobers later, the Soviet Union launched the world’s first artificial satellite into space, called Sputnik, the success of which triggered the great space race between the Soviets and the Americans, a high-flying component of the Cold War that had an entire generation of kids hunkering under our desks brainwashed into believing we’d survive a nuclear holocaust under a flimsy blanket of thin wood, lightweight chromed steel and hopeful government propaganda.
It was within that time I realized that I had two of the best grandfathers a boy could have, and one of them was my Nonno, a first-generation Italian, a Bronx street kid who came to Rhode Island as a teen and got doused with mustard gas as a horse soldier in The Great War.
When I came along, Nonno, with his beaming smile beneath his smooth bald head, nicknamed me Sputnik, for no other apparent reason that it is a pretty good name and maybe he deemed me a pretty good kid.
“Hey, Sputnik!” the tall,
angular man would laugh from behind a cloud of cigarette smoke, rubbing my head vigorously, eyes twinkling.
I had a great summer this year, not for any one milestone-style event, but for many glorious little ones, and that’s the foundation of a grateful life: finding those moments, reveling in them, stacking them up like cordwood in your memory banks to burn when you need the warmth of them.
At the end of many a day, I’d just sit and look out on the ocean from whence we came billions of years ago and feel the embrace of
nature in every pore. Those moments, basking in the sun’s setting rays, listening to the eternal sound of water slapping sand, the sweet wind bending sea grass in a golden shimmer, were some of the most relaxing moments of my life. And some of the best were spent floating.
You see, I never could float that well as a kid or adult for some reason, perhaps my technique was flawed, my posture, whatever. But I recall my mom telling me about my Nonno floating on his back in the ocean when she was a kid on a Rhode Island beach and how
much she marveled at the ease of which he floated in his long-sleeve, mid-thigh, presumably uncomfortable swimming attire of the more modest early 20th century, his long fingers entwined behind his head, smiling, looking for all the world like a man relaxing in a hammock as he bobbed in the waves.
I could never do that. I tried every so often, flailing like a seal attacked by a shark, swallowing water, sinking, quitting, figuring I just wasn’t good at it.
Nonno was a lifelong, hard-core smoker in the days when second-hand smoke wasn’t as decried as
it rightfully is now. He was widowed when I was a boy, and every Sunday would come over for dinner, puffing away and filling a wonderful old pedestal-style, ornately carved amber glass ashtray with the crushed butts of countless non-filter Camels, the living room a gray cloud of smoke.
And this summer, as I finally floated on my back as easily as I imagined my Nonno did, I would think of him, my arms at first at my sides for balance then slowly putting my hands behind my head like he would do. And this one summer day, the last we would spend on this particular beach of this particularly glorious summer,
I looked up into the wispy clouds and was reminded of Nonno again, his smoke billowing like a cloud around him, and his great hacking cough when he’d hear something funny and laugh deeply, the bellowing roar cut short by an emphysemic lung rattle that eventually claimed his life when I was 25 and he was 79.
And looking up into those smoky clouds that summer day thinking of him, I smiled and swore I heard him laugh around that great hacking cough, “Atta boy, Sputnik. I knew you could do it.”
I knew it, too, Nonno. Miss you to this day and thank you for inspiring me to be a pretty good Nonno myself.
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